Bug Glow Test

 

This is a quick test looking at how the bugs that are going to glow within the scene might do it. The back section of their tail glows, as some do in nature. 

Here are a few examples of glow bugs within nature as reference to the sort of thing that I'm trying to achieve.

Camouflage Test: Animated

After playing with having the butterfly camouflaged to the dishwasher tablet box, I had a play with animating the way it flies on to it.

Camouflage Test

This is an example of the butterfly camouflaged against the washing tablet box. I have played with the symmetry of the wings and I have removed the text from the texture so that it is made up purely of shapes, in order to create a pattern. I have added a little dirt and grunge to it so that it is obvious that there is a butterfly on top, however subtle in terms of expressing the idea of camouflage.

Portfolio Visit: Blue Zoo

I arranged to go an see London based company BLUE ZOO when down in London recently. The type of work that Blue Zoo create is primarily work for children's TV with their own animated series. Although character animation isn't something that I personally see myself going into, with my major project in mind, I felt that it would be helpful to see a company that could give me feedback in relation to my major project.

All of the portfolio crits that I have had up until this point of the course have been great in terms of looking at all of my work and getting feedback on how to improve aspects, things they liked and helpful in terms of promoting myself. I decided that whilst in London it would be great to utilise the opportunity and get in touch with BLUE ZOO in order to help progress my project.

When I arrived at the studios it was a little daunting at first as I wasn't sure that I'd found the right place or not. However fortunately it was the right place and they buzzed me up. The studio itself was a really nice/modern feel to it. When I got up to the studio I was met by Ollie one of the companies directors, who I had arranged the visit with, however he appologised as he had been called into a meeting last minute. However, he had arranged for two of their senior designers to sit down with me which I felt was a great opportunity.

First off all Damian and Mike showed me around their studio, before taking me into their meeting room to take a look at my work. I showed them my showreel and they said that they liked how it included a variety of work. However, they suggested that it was possibly a little too long, as generally you are able to tell within the first 20 secs whether the content of the work is going to be of a high standard.  This was good to hear, as I definitely agree that having a concise showreel would be appropriate and something that I should consider.

This was the first portfolio crit in which I was able to take my Flipbook for my Discovery channel ident. They loved it and said that they wish that more people took something that they could hold. I was really happy with this as I've wanted to get a flipbook made for a while now and I think that it is something different that when visiting companies, they could remember me over someone else. I think that it is important to stand out when there are a lot of people within this competitive industry, however I think that it is important to do this for the right reasons.

I showed them the work that I have done up to this point for the major project. I liked the fact that I am currently working on my project and able to show my ideas an initial tests. They liked my ideas and felt that it was a strong idea. I was pleased with the fact that they liked my idea, as I think that its important to have a strong idea behind my work.

They gave me some great advice about getting into the industry and how to approach this and were more than happy to answer questions that I had. One thing that stood out to me was that they said if possible its good to personally get into studios and if possible sit down with designers and show them your work. They felt that being able to physically sit down and actually being able to speak in person about the work is much better if this is possible, so this is definitely something to keep in mind.

http://themill.com/work/volkswagen/black-beetle.aspx

Cocroach Matchmoving

This is an example of mathchmoving with cockroaches. This is a great reference point for me as I think that it has been very nicely executed. It's clean, crisp and does what it needs to do!

HALF WAY EVALUATION 2/3/11

I think now is probably about the right time to reflect on how the project is going so far. I want to make sure that I’m still on track and in doing this I’m going to try to gauge how I feel the project’s evolving. I’m going to break this down into a few separate aspects. 

MAJOR PROJECT

Primary Research:

Overall I think that I have a good balance of both primary and secondary research and without a doubt the research section of the project so far has been the most helpful and effective. After initially looking into the idea of objects and collections it led to working with a curator at Manchester museum. Over a series of visits so far I have been able to study and analyse insects within the museums archives and it has meant that I have been able to draw from observation and break particular insects down into detail. This has been particularly important for me because it has allowed me to investigate insects in a lot more detail, than I would be able to do otherwise. By seeing these up close and out of their cases and being able to photograph and draw them, it has meant that now at the beginning stages of production I feel that the project is more informed.

Secondary Research

I am rather happy with the breadth of sources that I have looked at, up to this stage. Looking at animators working with similar subject matters, ranging from Svankmajer, to modern animators such as PEZ. I have also looked into the use of objects within things such as TV adverts for cars and people who create art with objects.

An initial investigation into the use of objects within other peoples work has now moved into an investigation of my chosen subject matter, (insects and entomology). By having both a subject matter and looking into the use of objects, it has meant I have been able to look into a lot of other areas. For example, insects in general and the use of camouflage within nature. This has allowed for an exciting investigation, which has meant that I have been able to look at a wide array of sources, like David Attenborough’s Madagascar and other documentaries on insects and adaptation.

In terms of the trip to London next week I'm seeing this as a great opportunity to utilise galleries and museums in order to research more for my major. After looking into what is going on in London whilst we are there and recommendations from friends, there are a few exhibitions and galleries that are a must see whilst there. For example Gabriel Orozco exhibition that is on at the Tate Modern, in which he’s regarded for his “endless experimentation with found objects”.  I also plan on a visit to the ‘Natural History Museum’, which I hope will provide invaluable research for my project. Whilst looking forward to visiting studios and having my portfolio visit, I’m also looking forward to take advantage of being able to continue to develop my project whilst there.

Overall I feel that the project is going well and I think that I’m happy with the speed of how it’s evolving. The beginning of the project was quite a slow process in terms of research and making decisions, however I’m glad that I have gone through the process because I don’t think that I would be where I’m at now otherwise. In terms of my final piece it is developing nicely now and at the moment I’m considering narrative.

PDP

Portfolio Visits:

I have already had one portfolio visit and plan on making a return visit to at least one of the studios that I had visits with before Christmas. I have one lined up with an animation studio in London whilst we are down there. I found this company earlier this month and was particularly drawn to them with my major project in mind. A lot of their work involves character animation, something that interests me but not something that I wouldn’t want to primarily go into. However, which my major project in mind I feel that obviously I need to understand the principles of character animation, so that I can get the most out of the narrative that I create for my “insects/beetles”. Although I love London, my intention after graduating is to stay up North. With this in mind the main intention for me is that this portfolio visit in London is a great opportunity to get a little advice for my major project and whilst a great networking opportunity also a great chance to specifically talk about my major project.

Matthew Davies

Earlier this month Me and Ste had a portfolio visit, which went really well and was very productive. As well as having a great talk about our work and interests, he also gave us a contact to a company that he does freelance work for and suggested that we get in touch. We planned on meeting them whilst down in London, however the man from the company suggested that we meet up on Wed, however we are only staying until the Tues night. This is a great contact and something that we will definitely be following up.

I have planned to write the hope fears and opportunities report over the Easter break and intend for this to be finished by the time that we return, meaning that I have the final 3 weeks to finish the project. In terms of self promotion I have spent quite a lot of time working on my showreel, especially for this visit to London. I have also re-edited all of the pieces that I have on Vimeo, so that they all have brief descriptions at the beginning, briefly describing the project, its length and the key skills used.

Time Management

I have been using the diary on my mac throughout this project putting in deadlines set and all of my own personal deadlines. This has been invaluable for me, as it has meant that not only have I been able to plan things as I go along, but also see how I’m doing and track my process and consequently process.